psychodrama

noun

psy·​cho·​dra·​ma ˌsī-kō-ˈdrä-mə 

-ˈdra-

1

: an extemporized dramatization designed to afford catharsis and social relearning for one or more of the participants from whose life history the plot is abstracted

2

: a dramatic narrative or work characterized by psychological overtones

3

: an often ongoing psychological struggle

also : an expression of psychological turmoil

psychodramatic

ˌsī-kō-drə-ˈma-tik 

adjective

Examples of psychodrama in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

About Town Indie Rock As Father John Misty, the singer and multi-instrumentalist Josh Tillman stages albums as little psychodramas. —The New Yorker, 21 Feb. 2025

The thought that Sam Riley’s Tom might turn out to be Fred MacMurray in Double Indemnity or John Garfield in The Postman Always Rings Twice is tantalizing but gradually appears to be more like teasing misdirection as the movie shifts into psychodrama gear. —David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Feb. 2025

The results are equal parts marital crisis, sins-of-the-father psychodrama and visceral body horror. —Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 15 Jan. 2025

Niemann himself sometimes seems like a method actor appearing in a psychodrama, whether by temperament or by a recognition that the mad villain is the only decent role available to him now. —Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1932, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for psychodrama

• katayama
• melodrama
• pranayama
• agama
• bahama
• pajama
• ulama
• brahma
• chama
• comma
• dama
• drama

Medical Definition

psychodrama

noun

psy·​cho·​dra·​ma ˌsī-kō-ˈdräm-ə, -ˈdram-; ˈsī-kō-ˌdräm-ə, -ˌdram- 

: an extemporized dramatization designed to afford catharsis and social relearning for one or more of the participants from whose life history the plot is abstracted

psychodramatic

-kō-drə-ˈmat-ik 

adjective